South Llano River State Park

When other waterways in Texas have slowed to a trickle, the South Llano River keeps flowing, fed by hundreds of springs along its winding course. The park itself has about two miles of river frontage, and there are numerous places to put in a kayak or canoe both up and downstream.

For the most part, it is a lazy paddle, but even when the river is low it still has short stretches where the current moves briskly around sharp bends and over rounded boulders.

Painted Bunting at South Llano River State Park

South Llano River State Park is a haven for birders. You’ll rarely run across anyone walking along its trails without a pair of binoculars around their necks.

Green Kingfishers and Black Phoebes can be seen
foraging along the clear river. Ringed Kingfishers, though
uncommon, can also be viewed by canoeing or kayaking
mainly downstream from the park. Black-capped Vireos are
represented by about 35 calling males and are usually found
just inside the mouths of the canyons or in some of the higher
elevations of the Walter Buck WMA. Hike the Fawn Trail in
spring/early summer for this species…

A large flock of wild Rio Grande Turkeys roosts in the park and often wanders the pecan bottomlands in the early morning and evening.

Golden-cheeked Warbler Trail (4 miles) More of a backcountry trail, it offers a greater diversity of birds and other wildlife. But don’t get too excited by the name of the trail. According to the park’s birding checklist, the Golden-cheeked Warbler rarely nests in the park and is an infrequent visitor.